How to Dispose of Microwave Ovens for Free

Microwave ovens usually contain metal and plastic parts, but they may also contain hazardous materials. Your trash collectors may not accept a microwave if you throw it in with the rest of your daily trash. Several options exist for disposing of a working microwave for free. If the unit is broken, you will need to contact your local sanitation department to find a landfill that will accept it.

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Donate the microwave to a local homeless shelter, if it is still working, or take it to an appliance reseller. A reseller will refurbish it and sell it.

Call your local sanitation department, if the microwave no longer works. Ask the department for a landfill or sanitation center that will accept a microwave oven.

Give the sanitation department the make and model of your microwave so they can assess if it is hazardous. This will influence whether you can take it to a regular landfill or a hazardous material sanitation center.

Wipe the microwave down with a damp paper towel, then take it to the correct disposal facility as instructed by your local sanitation department.